Top Ten January proved to be another lively month, beginning with continued media coverage of our Top Ten Autism Research Achievements of 2011 and the publication of Geri’s annual letter from the CSO. The month culminated with considerable media coverage and community concern about proposed revisions to the medical definition of autism spectrum disorder in the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Understandably, our families are concerned about the potential implications for diagnosis and access to services, and our science leadership has been providing perspective through national media as well as our own blog and a heavily attended webchat. We will be working hard to ensure that the DSM changes do not exclude access to needed services.

Adults with Autism We hosted “Adults with Autism: Sharing Ideas, Filling the Gaps,” a research summit focused on adults development, services, and treatments. Held in North Carolina, we brought together major donors, scientists, clinicians, and staff to discuss the research Autism Speaks is funding that is investigating what factors lead to the best outcomes in autism, lifetime trajectories, and new services and treatments. Read all about this incredible and unique event on our science blog.

Ireland On Jan 12-13 We held an international conference “Autism Spectrum Disorders: From Clinical Practice to Educational Provisions” at the Irish Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopment Research at the National University of Ireland, Galway. More than 600 delegates from around the world attended. You can read more on the science blog.

Community Grants Our Family Services Community Grants recipients for 2011 were announced on January 24th. Over $1 million in awards were issued to 53 community services organizations in the United States and Canada. The focus of the Family Services Community Grants is to promote autism services that enhance the lives of those affected by autism while expanding the field of service providers. The next round of Family Services Community Grants will be announced in February.

Video Glossary On January 5th, we launched an updated version of theAutism Video Glossary – a section on autism treatments. Like the first phase, this was a collaborative effort between Autism Speaks, First Signs and Florida State University. The new treatment section expands the Video Glossary’s library with the inclusion of more than 100 video clips from actual therapy sessions illustrating 22 treatments that may be used to help children with autism build skills, connect with peers and family members, and reduce challenging behaviors. It offers families a window into the various treatment options, provides a description of each method, and lists the top five research studies supporting the treatment and where to find more information. Professionals will also find the treatment section useful when working with a family to determine the best course of treatment for a child with autism.

Housing We also launched our Housing and Residential Support Tool Kit in January. The tool kit includes a written guide, a catalogue of residential options and supports, featured house of the month, housing resources and housing in the news. Our hope is that this tool kit will provide information to individuals with autism and their families as they thinking about housing and residential support options.

Military Families Sound Off Military families finally got their say before Congress about the shortcomings in their autism insurance benefits, including the loss of all autism benefits when they retire. Autism Speaks helped organize the event and rally military families to the Capitol Hill briefing which resulted in an overflow room. Rep. John Larson of Connecticut, who is sponsoring the Caring for Military Kids with Autism Act, called the plight of America’s military families raising kids with autism “immoral.”

And They’re Off! Autism insurance reform campaigns in the states have launched with new bills introduced in Utah and Nebraska, a bill expanding existing benefits launched in Vermont and a bill protecting coverage for Applied Behavior Analysis already voted out of the Virginia Legislature and on the desk of Governor Robert McDonnell. Autism Speaks has spearheaded autism insurance reform campaigns nationally that have resulted in 29 states representing 70 percent of the U.S. population now protected by such laws.

‘Show Me’ State Shows the Facts on Autism Insurance The Missouri Department of Insurance has released an analysis of its year-old autism insurance reform law showing that the impact on premiums was 0.1 percent, a fraction of the 3 percent impact used by insurance industry lobbyists in their efforts to defeat such laws. The Missouri analysis was consistent with findings Autism Speaks has gathered from five other states showing that the implementation of autism insurance coverage has minimal impact on premiums.

Want to get more involved with Autism Speaks advocacy efforts? Sign up to become an advocate on www.autismvotes.org or text “AVotes” to 30644 to be added to our mobile alert list.

Awareness

Colgate University’s Women’s Hockey supports autism research

Gooooooaaaaal! In collaboration with Autism Speaks U, Colgate University’s Women’s Hockey team is hosting their 2nd annual Autism Awareness Project on February 3, 1011. This project is in support of their team manager, Kati Williams, who is a local teenager on the autism spectrum. Through their various fundraising and awareness efforts they hope to have over 1,200 fans attend the game to help shine a bright light on autism.

T-shirt Madness Autism Speaks was introduced with a unique and innovative fundraising opportunity with the company Sevenly. Sevenly designed a custom t-shirt for Autism Speaks and used social media to spread awareness and raise funds! Learn more here and be sad that you missed your chance to get a shirt!

Want to stay up to date on our awareness efforts? Visit the blog for the latest info… that page is also “RSS” enabled so you can add it to your newsreader!